B&G Foods
An American branded-foods holding company built around a broad portfolio of shelf-stable, frozen, baking, snack, condiment, and vegetable brands.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
B&G Foods, Inc. is an American branded-foods holding company headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey. The business was formed in 1996 by investors who acquired Bloch & Guggenheimer, a long-established producer of pickles, relish, and condiments, together with Burns & Ricker, a snack-food company. Although the corporate entity dates from 1996, the B&G name and its principal pickle-making predecessor trace their roots to 1889, when Joseph Bloch and Julius Guggenheimer established a food business in Manhattan. The company’s defining strategy has been the acquisition and management of established brands that larger food corporations no longer consider central to their portfolios. These so-called orphaned or non-core brands can retain substantial consumer recognition while receiving less attention from their former owners. B&G has therefore developed as a multi-brand platform rather than as a single-product consumer brand. Its portfolio has included canned and frozen vegetables, beans, Mexican foods, pickles, sauces, syrups, baking ingredients, spices, snacks, cooking oils, shortening, soup mixes, pasta products, and meat spreads. During its early expansion, B&G purchased brands from major food companies including Nabisco, Pillsbury, Nestlé, Unilever, Kraft Foods, General Mills, Mondelez International, Associated British Foods, and The J.M. Smucker Company. Notable additions included Ortega, Cream of Wheat, Green Giant, Le Sueur, Mrs. Dash, Spice Islands, Tone’s, Durkee, Clabber Girl, Crisco, Back to Nature, and Victoria. The acquisition of Green Giant and related brands from General Mills in 2015 significantly broadened B&G’s presence in frozen vegetables and became one of the company’s most prominent transactions. The company also expanded into snack foods, although it later sold Pirate Brands to The Hershey Company in 2018. B&G became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2007 under the ticker symbol BGS. Its public-company model has combined brand acquisitions with portfolio management, manufacturing consolidation, licensing arrangements, and occasional divestitures. The company has used both its own production facilities and third-party manufacturing, and it has periodically closed or relocated operations to reduce costs and improve utilization. In 2020, it acquired Crisco and a Cincinnati manufacturing facility, as well as Farmwise Farms, a producer of frozen vegan foods intended to complement its Green Giant business. B&G’s products are primarily sold in the United States, with selected brands and licensed products reaching international markets. The company’s positioning is mainstream and portfolio-based: it offers familiar branded foods across everyday grocery categories, spanning value-oriented staples, convenience products, natural and better-for-you items, and specialty cooking ingredients. Its brands are generally distributed through supermarkets, mass merchants, club stores, e-commerce channels, foodservice, and other retail outlets. The company has also faced the strategic and reputational challenges associated with managing legacy brands. In 2020, public criticism of the Cream of Wheat packaging character, which was regarded by many observers as rooted in racist imagery, led B&G to review the branding and subsequently remove the character from packaging. This episode illustrated the need for owners of heritage brands to reassess historical names, imagery, and marketing in response to changing social expectations. B&G remains an active publicly traded packaged-food company whose identity is defined less by one flagship product than by the aggregation, renovation, and operation of numerous established food brands.
History
B&G Foods’ history combines a nineteenth-century pickle business with a twentieth- and twenty-first-century acquisition platform. The earliest predecessor was Bloch & Guggenheimer, founded in Manhattan in 1889 by Joseph Bloch and Julius Guggenheimer. The company produced pickles, relish, and condiments, later operating a large plant in Long Island City, Queens. Production moved to Maryland during the 1970s, while the B&G products became important retail and foodservice offerings in the New York metropolitan area. During the 1980s, Dutch conglomerate Artal NV acquired several North American food companies, including B&G and M. Polaner. Leonard S. Polaner was placed in a leadership role overseeing the businesses, and David L. Wenner, formerly associated with Johnson & Johnson, was recruited to manage B&G. Artal began selling its food holdings in the early 1990s. In 1993, an investment group led by Robert Bass and Dallas-based leveraged-buyout specialists Haas, Wheat & Partners formed Specialty Foods Corp. to acquire Artal’s remaining North American food companies. B&G was included alongside businesses such as Mother’s Cookies, Stella Foods, and Pacific Coast Baking. Specialty Foods later encountered substantial losses and decided to concentrate on bread and cheese operations. In 1996, Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., with assistance from Polaner and Wenner, created B Companies Holdings Corp. to acquire Bloch & Guggenheimer and Burns & Ricker from Specialty Foods. After completing the acquisitions, the company adopted the B&G Foods name in 1997, with Polaner as chairman and Wenner as president and chief executive officer. B&G quickly pursued a program of brand acquisitions. In 1997 it bought several brands from Nabisco, including Regina, Brer Rabbit, Wright’s, and Vermont Maid, and acquired Trappey’s Fine Foods from McIlhenny Company. Maple Grove Farms of Vermont and Up Country Naturals followed in 1998. In 1999, B&G acquired the Polaner All Fruit line and six Pillsbury brands, including B&M Baked Beans, Ac’cent, Sa-son Ac’cent, Las Palmas, Joan of Arc, and Underwood. It also began developing products under the Emeril’s Original brand through a collaboration with chef Emeril Lagasse. The company’s early expansion produced growth but also left it carrying significant long-term debt. After weak sales growth in 2000, B&G sold Burns & Ricker in January 2001. The company resumed acquisitions in 2003 with Ortega, purchased from Nestlé. In 2004, B&G Foods Holdings Corp. reorganized as B&G Foods, Inc. The company became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 2007. The portfolio continued to broaden through acquisitions. Grandma’s Molasses was purchased in 2006, and Cream of Wheat was acquired from Kraft Foods in 2007. In 2010, B&G acquired brands from Violet Packing, including Sclafani and Don Pepino. The 2011 purchase of Unilever’s Culver Specialty Brands division added Mrs. Dash, Molly McButter, Sugar Twin, Baker’s Joy, Static Guard, and Kleen Guard. The transaction marked a temporary expansion beyond food into household products. In 2012 and 2013, the company expanded its snack portfolio through Old London Foods, Devonsheer, JJ Flats, New York Style, Rickland Orchards, TrueNorth, and the Pirate Brands. In 2014, it acquired Specialty Brands of America, whose holdings included Bear Creek Country Kitchens, Spring Tree, Cary’s, MacDonald’s, New York Flatbreads, and Canoleo. B&G made one of its largest and most consequential acquisitions in 2015 by purchasing Green Giant and related vegetable brands Le Sueur and Le Sieur from General Mills. The company subsequently introduced new frozen vegetable products and worked to consolidate manufacturing activities. B&G also acquired Mama Mary’s pizza crusts and later announced the movement of production from Spartanburg, South Carolina, to its Yadkinville, North Carolina, operation. In 2016, B&G purchased ACH Food Companies’ spice and seasoning business, adding Spice Islands, Tone’s, and Durkee, as well as a manufacturing facility in Ankeny, Iowa and a license to produce Weber sauces and seasonings. It also acquired Victoria Fine Foods. In 2017, Back to Nature Foods and SnackWell’s were acquired from Mondelez International. The following year, B&G sold Pirate Brands to The Hershey Company, demonstrating that portfolio management included divestitures as well as acquisitions. The company acquired Clabber Girl Corporation in 2019, adding baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, gelatin, pudding, and related brands. In 2020, it purchased Crisco and its Cincinnati facility from The J.M. Smucker Company and acquired Farmwise Farms, a frozen vegan-food producer intended to complement Green Giant. The same period brought a public controversy concerning Cream of Wheat’s packaging imagery. B&G announced a review in June 2020 and later confirmed that the historical chef character would be removed. Leadership changed during this period. Following the 2020 resignation of Kenneth Romanzi, David L. Wenner served as interim president and CEO. In June 2021, Kenneth C. “Casey” Keller was appointed president and CEO, while Wenner remained associated with the company as a board member. In August 2021, B&G announced plans to sell its Portland, Maine facility, relocate production, and reduce staffing in an effort to lower costs and improve productivity. The company’s broader development remains centered on operating a diversified portfolio of branded grocery products while selectively acquiring, modernizing, consolidating, or selling individual businesses.
- 2021
Casey Keller became CEO
[1]Kenneth C. Keller succeeded David L. Wenner as president and CEO.
- 2020
Crisco and Farmwise Farms acquired
[1]The company expanded into cooking oils, shortening, and frozen plant-based foods.
- 2018
Pirate Brands divested
[1]B&G sold Pirate Brands to The Hershey Company.
- 2016
Spice and seasoning portfolio acquired
[1]B&G added Spice Islands, Tone’s, Durkee, and a related manufacturing facility.
- 2015
Green Giant acquired
[1]B&G acquired Green Giant, Le Sueur, and Le Sieur from General Mills.
- 2011
Culver Specialty Brands acquired
[1]The transaction expanded B&G into additional food and household-product categories.
- 2007
Public listing on the New York Stock Exchange
[1]B&G Foods began trading publicly under ticker BGS.
- 2004
Corporate reorganization completed
[1]B&G Foods Holdings Corp. became B&G Foods, Inc. through a merger with its subsidiary.
- 1999
Pillsbury brand portfolio acquired
[1]B&G acquired six Pillsbury brands, including B&M, Ac’cent, Las Palmas, Joan of Arc, and Underwood.
- 1997
Company adopted the B&G Foods name
[1]Following its acquisitions, B Companies Holdings Corp. was renamed B&G Foods Holdings Corp.
Products and positioning
A mainstream, multi-brand packaged-foods platform focused on acquiring, operating, refreshing, and distributing established grocery brands across shelf-stable, frozen, baking, condiment, snack, and cooking categories.
Frozen and canned vegetables
Green Giant
Green Giant is B&G Foods’ best-known vegetable platform and includes frozen and shelf-stable vegetables. B&G acquired the brand, together with Le Sueur and Le Sieur, from General Mills in 2015. The company expanded the frozen range after the acquisition and has used Green Giant as a platform for vegetable convenience products and selected plant-based offerings.
Mexican foods
Ortega
Ortega is a Mexican-food brand centered on products such as chiles, sauces, taco-related ingredients, and other meal components. B&G acquired the brand from Nestlé in 2003, adding a nationally recognized prepared-food and condiment business to its growing shelf-stable portfolio.
Breakfast foods
Cream of Wheat
Cream of Wheat is a hot cereal brand acquired by B&G from Kraft Foods in 2007. It is one of the company’s heritage grocery brands. In 2020, B&G changed the packaging after reviewing criticism of a historical chef character associated with the brand’s earlier visual identity.
Cooking oils and shortening
Crisco
Crisco is a cooking-oil and shortening brand acquired from The J.M. Smucker Company in 2020 together with a Cincinnati manufacturing facility. The brand gives B&G a substantial presence in home baking, frying, and everyday cooking ingredients.
Baking ingredients
Clabber Girl
Clabber Girl is the leading brand in a baking-ingredients portfolio acquired through B&G’s 2019 purchase of Clabber Girl Corporation. The business includes baking powder and related products, alongside brands such as Rumford, Davis, Hearth Club, and Royal.
Natural and better-for-you foods
Back to Nature
Back to Nature is a natural-foods brand acquired from Mondelez International in 2017 together with SnackWell’s. Its portfolio has included cookies, crackers, snacks, and other products positioned around natural or better-for-you eating occasions.
Spices and seasonings
Spice Islands, Tone’s, and Durkee
B&G acquired the spice and seasoning business of ACH Food Companies in 2016. The transaction added Spice Islands, Tone’s, and Durkee, plus manufacturing capacity and a license to produce Weber sauces and seasonings. Together these brands serve home cooks, foodservice users, and consumers seeking packaged herbs, spices, blends, and seasonings.
Canned and prepared foods
B&M
B&M is a heritage canned-food brand associated particularly with baked beans and other shelf-stable prepared foods. It entered B&G’s portfolio through the 1999 Pillsbury transaction and was historically manufactured at the company’s Portland, Maine facility.
Pasta sauces
Victoria
Victoria Fine Foods produces pasta sauces and related Italian-inspired food products. B&G acquired the business in 2016, strengthening its presence in premium and specialty shelf-stable meal components.
Seasonings
Mrs. Dash
Mrs. Dash is a seasoning brand acquired through B&G’s 2011 purchase of the Culver Specialty Brands division. The brand was renamed Dash in 2020 and is associated with salt-free or reduced-sodium seasoning products.
Controversies
2020
Cream of Wheat packaging controversy
Cream of Wheat was criticized for packaging imagery featuring a chef character widely viewed as reflecting racist stereotypes and the brand’s historical association with the term “Rastus.” During public protests over racism in 2020, B&G announced a review of the branding and later stated that the character would be removed from all packaging.
Brand decisions
2021
Appoint Casey Keller as president and CEOOtherBackground
The appointment followed the resignation of Kenneth Romanzi and a period in which David L. Wenner served as interim president and CEO.
Action taken
B&G appointed Kenneth C. “Casey” Keller president and CEO, while Wenner remained a board member.
Aftermath
The change brought in an executive with experience at major consumer and food brands, including JDE Peet’s, Peet’s Coffee, Wrigley, Alberto-Culver, and Heinz.
2021
Consolidate Portland manufacturing operationsStrategyBackground
B&G cited cost reduction and productivity improvement as reasons for changing the role of its Portland, Maine facility.
Action taken
The company announced the planned sale of the facility, relocation of production to third-party and other B&G sites, and elimination of 86 jobs.
Aftermath
The operational transition was expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2022, and the site was expected to become home to Northeastern University’s Roux Institute.
2020
Review and remove Cream of Wheat historical characterStrategyBackground
Public criticism focused on the character’s perceived racist imagery and its connection to outdated representations of African Americans.
Action taken
B&G announced an immediate branding review and later confirmed that the character would be removed from Cream of Wheat packaging.
Aftermath
The packaging was revised as part of a broader reassessment of legacy food-brand imagery during the 2020 racial-justice protests.
2018
Sell Pirate Brands to The Hershey CompanyM&ABackground
B&G’s portfolio strategy includes divesting brands that no longer fit its priorities or can be better developed by another owner.
Action taken
B&G sold Pirate Brands, including Pirate’s Booty, Smart Puffs, and Original Tings, to The Hershey Company.
Aftermath
The divestiture reduced B&G’s snack portfolio while transferring the brands to a large confectionery and snack company.
Transaction value. 420 million USD (2018)
2015
Acquire Green Giant and related vegetable brandsM&ABackground
General Mills was reducing its focus on Green Giant while B&G sought established brands that could be developed within a diversified food portfolio.
Action taken
B&G acquired Green Giant, Le Sueur, and Le Sieur and subsequently expanded the frozen vegetable range.
Aftermath
The transaction became a major step in B&G’s expansion into frozen and shelf-stable vegetables.
Recent events
B&G Foods announces partnership with Christina Tosi[3]
Reported:
B&G Foods announced a partnership with pastry chef Christina Tosi, who will create exclusive recipes and baking tips for its Baking at Home resource and feature B&G Foods baking brands.
B&G Foods acquires Farmwise[4]
Reported:
B&G Foods acquired Farmwise LLC, creator of Veggie Fries, Veggie Tots and Veggie Rings, effective February 19, 2020. B&G Foods said it would further support the Farmwise brand in the natural channel and introduce Farmwise-developed items as offerings for its Green Giant brand.
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